Dedicated 'to sayo. :) balak ko sana sa Epilogue. HAHAHA

Chapter 8 – Phone number

PINAPANOOD ko ang mga board of directors na nagpapalitan ng kanilang opinion about me being the new Chief operating officer.

“She’s the only heiress of Aragon Jewelry Company so it’s only given that Ms. Cassey take the position as COO.” Sabi ni Mr. Madrigal na isa sa Chief financial officer.

“Yes, but first she have to prove herself. She was what? A Marketing Manager? Why should we trust her? As far as record is concern. She didn’t even accomplish her last title proposal of Andaya account.” Said Mrs. Veras—the woman wearing black coat. I wanted to roll my eyes on her. From the start I already hate her. Siya ang unang nang-mata sa akin nang gawin akong Marketing Manager ni daddy.

“I think she did prove herself already when she was sent to Colorado. And we all know that she designed our luxurious necklace that was bought for Eight million US dollars by Hilary Clinton. And when her title proposal was approved by one of our biggest investors—Mr. Kent Manjon. Isn’t that enough?” my Uncle Robert defended me. Napangiti naman ako sakanya. That design I made was just for fun. I never thought na magugustuhan ‘yon ng US ex president’s wife Madam Clinton.

So far, 70 by 30 ang agree at hindi agree sa akin. But I know, kay daddy pa rin nakasalalay ang lahat.

“You all have point in this meeting. But whatever my decision is, it will always be what’s best for the company. After all, Cassey Aragon is my daughter and I don’t doubt her ability to operate Aragon Jewelry Company.” Seryosong sabi ni daddy. Napatingin naman siya sa akin and conviction is written in his aura.

“So my princess, are you ready to take over the position of COO?” Daddy asked me as if I I have a choice. Tumayo naman ako at pumunta sa unahan ni daddy.

“I’m Cassey Aragon. And I was born ready,” I said then smirked.

AFTER the board meeting ay pumunta na ako sa aking office—my new office I mean. ‘Di hamak na mas maganda siya sa dati kong office at mas malaking tingnan.

“Congratulations, Ms. Cassey.” Nakangiting sabi sa akin ni Leni nang maabutan ko siya sa office ko na inaayos ang table ko.

“Congratulations to you, too.” I said habang papalapit sa table ko. Of course I had to congratulate her. Tumaas ang posisyon ko so ibig sabihin pati siya. Ngumiti lang siya sa akin at nagpatiuna sa table ko. Seriously, kailangan ko ata talagang pasalamat ‘tong si Leni. Halos lagi siyang sa tabi ko. Kahit hindi naman siya dapat sumama sa akin sa Colorado pinilit ko siya kasi gusto ko may assistant pa rin ako. Kung hindi nga lang ata sa mataas niyang sweldo noon niya pa ako nilayasan

“Eh, Ms. Cassey. Kanina pa po mayro’ng tawag nang tawag sa inyo dito sa phone ko. Unregistered po kasi kaya nagdadalawang isip ako kung sasagutin ko.” She said when she handed me my phone.

“Sino naman kaya ‘to?” I said to myself while redialing. Baka kasi importante.

Isang ring pa lang nang sagutin agad ito sa kabilang linya at napakunot ako nang lalaki ang matunugan kong boses.

“Thank god you called.” He said.

“And who’s this?” I snapped.

“It’s me, Owen.” Masigla niyang sabi sa kabilang linya. Halos panlakihan ako ng mata at nanginginig na natapon ko ang phone ko.

“Ms. Cassey, may problema po ba?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Leni.

“W-wa…Wala!” nanghihinang napaupo ako sa swivel chair at nasapo ang noo ko. How did he get my number?

In my perephiral, nakita ko si Leni na pinulot ang phone ko. Nilagay niya to sa mesa ko. Basag ang screen pero naka-on pa rin at naka-stand by pa ang call ko.

“Turn that off,” mahina kong sabi.

“Po?”

“I said turn of that ghad damn phone!” bulyaw ko. Nagmamadali namang ni-off ni Leni ang phone ko. Halos mapahilamos ako sa mukha ko sa sobrang frustrations.

Ano ba ang gusto niya sa akin? Bakit ba siya naghahabol? Dapat galit siya sa akin dahil sa ginawa ko noon sakanya. Why is he still pursuing me. At bakit ngayon lang?

“Leni, kindly call Ivo.”

“Sa landline po ba, Ms. Cassey?”

“Yes! Sa office niya. Hurry up!”

In times like this, hindi ko alam kung bakit si Ivo ang gusto kong lapitan instead na magsumbong kay daddy. Nasasanay na nga ata ako sakanya.

“Ms. Cassey, nasa meeting daw po si Mr. Hidalgo.”

“Says who?!”

“His secretary po,” agad naman akong tumayo at inagaw ang wireless phone kay Leni.

“Hello! This is Cassey Aragon, kindly pass this call to Ivo or else you will regret that you were born!”

“But, Ms. Aragon, Mr. Hidalgo is talking to an investor and—“

“Shut up! You’re just his secretary! I wanna talk to him, okay?!”

“Ms. Aragon hindi po talaga puwede—“

“Ugh! I hate secretaries!” I said then hang up. Napatingin naman ako kay Leni na nakatingin din pala sa akin. “What?” iritado kong sabi. “Look, you’re an exception okay? Go back to your station.” Utos ko sakanya.

And I thought this would be my best day but the worst is about to come. Sobrang dami agad na trabaho ang pinasa sa akin. I have to read all the operating reports for the month of January to present. My poor eyesight. Kung puwede lang na magkaroon ng scanner para ipapasok na lang nito sa utak ko ang nabasa nito.

Nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng pagbabasa ko nang kumatok sa pinto si Leni. I didn’t bother looking at her at ayaw kong mawala sa momentum ng aking pagbabasa.

I heard the door opened then close saka ko narinig ang mabibigat na yabag ni Leni.

“What do you want?” I asked habang nakatingin sa papers.

“I thought you want me?”

Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa at inangat ang tingin. I saw Ivo standing meters away from my table at may dala siyang white tote bag.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sakanya. I wanted to hug him pero pinigilan ko. Bakit ko nga pala siya yayakapin? Eh ‘di binigyan ko lang siya ng idea para asarin ako.

“My secretary told me that there’s this persistent lady who wants to talk to me but sad to say I told her not to disturb me in any cases. And I am deeply sorry because I forgot to inform my secretary that this lady is an exception.” He said in a soft expression. I felt like I wanted to cry. Pero nagtataka lang siya kaya mas pinili kong maging matigas.

“Then why are you here?” I crossed my arms.

“Because I wanted to personally know the reason why that pretty lady called me.” nakangiti niyang sabi. I sigh heavily.

“I was scared. Owen called me by my mobile number.” Sabi ko. Nakita kong nag-iba ang expression ng mukha niya at parang naging dark aura.

“I told you. You should have let me teach him some lesson!” he gritted his teeth and just like last night, I saw his sharp fangs coming out his mouth.

“He seems harmless pero natatakot na talaga ako sakanya, Ivo. Mas nakakatakot malaman na may lalaking obsess sa’yo. He’s a creepy stalker!”

Inilapag niya sa sahig ang dala niya at lumakad palapit sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang braso ko at tiningnan ako sa mata.

“Hindi ko hahayaan na masaktan ka niya. Not even the tip of his finger will lay on your skin. I promise you that. Okay, babe? So don’t be scared because I will always protect you.”

My heart almost melted. Pakiramdam ko hinahaplos niya ang puso ko sa mga salitang binibitawan niya. He was darn sweet. And I’m afraid that I get addicted to it. And what happens if I get addicted to it? I’ll be sick. And that’s what I should be avoided.

“Hmm, may dala pala akong pagkain para sa’yo. Alam ko kasing hind ka pa kumakain so I bought you Chinese foods. Is that alright with you?” kinuha niya ang tote bag at ipinakita ‘to sa akin.

“Maarte ako Ivo pero hindi ako maarte sa pagkain.” Sabi ko sakanya.

“Good. Kasi ayaw ko sa babaeng nagda-diet.”

Siya ang umakay sa akin papunta sa mini sala ng office ko. He stared assembling the food at doon ko lang napansin na nakaharap ang couch sa glass wall kaya kita ko ang buong City.

“Kainin mo ‘to lahat. May mga side dishes pa akong binili.” Masaya niyang sabi. Napatingin lang ako sakanya.

Avoid him, Cassey. Avoid him.

“Kakainin ko na lang. Puwede ka ng umalis.” I said.

“No. I want to see you eat. You know what? For the first time in my life, I wish I could eat with you.” He sincerely said.

No, Cassey. I’m warning you. Stay away from him.

“Okay lang talaga ako. I can eat alone. You can go back to your work,” I insisted.

“Please, babe? I enjoyed watching you eat.” His eyes were pleading kaya wala akong nagawa.

“Okay,” pag-suko ko.

Stupid, Cassey! You will regret this!

I’m sorry I can’t listen to myself. Mas gusto ko siyang malapit sa akin. I felt safe.

After kong kumain ay umalis na rin si Ivo and he reminded me na susunduin niya ako para makapag-grocery kami.

I worked all afternoon pero hindi kagaya kaninang umaga, I am in the mood. I’m humming  and smiling while reading reports. Pampa good vibes ata ‘yung Chinese foods na dala ni Ivo, eh.

“And why is my princess smiling?” napatingin ako sa pinto ng office ko at nakita ko si daddy na nakangiti ng makahulugan.

“Nandiyan ka pala, dad. I didn’t hear you knock.” Sabi ko trying to hid my smile kaya kinakagat ko ang loob ng cheeks ko.

“Yeah were too busy reading reports.” Umupo siya sa may side seats ng table at tiningnan ako ng nakakaloko. “Promotivo was here, am I right?”

“Dad, he just…”

“Hinatiran ka niya ng pagkain. I saw him but I didn’t bother calling him because he’s talking to someone in the phone and he seems late na sa appointment niya.”

“Late?” Eh bakit pa siya pumunta dito.

“Princess, you’re lucky to have Ivo. He’s the type of guy na mas uunahin ka kesa sa trabaho niya. Treasure him, okay? I trust both of you and you have my full blessings.”

“D-Dad…” Hindi totoong kami.  I wanted to tell him but I choose not to break his gladness.

“Anyway, I came here to tell you na may bago tayong investor. Baka next week ipakilala ko siya sa’yo.” Sabi ni daddy bago lumaabs ng office ko.

It was quarter to five nang bumaba ako from office. Hindi ko ma-text si Ivo kasi hindi na tuluyang nag-on ang phone ko. I need to buy new phone as well as I have to change my number.

Nasa lobby na ako at doon ko sana hihintayin si Ivo but I was surprised to see him there waiting. Akala ko ako ang maghihintay sakanya ang it turns out na siya pa ang naghintay sa akin.

“Kanina ka pa?” I asked nang makalapit ako sakanya.

“A minute ago. Tara na?” he said saka ako tumango. Pinahawak niya ako sa braso niya at hindi ako nagreklamo. Nasa harap lang pala ng building ang kotse niya. He opened the door for me saka ako sumakay.

“Sa s&r tayo, babe?” he said nang makalulan sa kotse.

“Sa SM lang. I need to buy a new phone.” I said.

“Hmm, okay.”

I am so thankful at hindi kami na-stuck sa traffic dahil na rin sa galing ni Ivo mag-drive at marami siyang alam na shortcuts.

Sa SM Aura kami dumeretso. Sabi ko kay Ivo punta muna kaming Globe para makabili ako ng phone. Tsaka para mapalitan ko ang number ko. That was the advantage of plan postpaid, and I can block Owen’s number. He’s such a skeez!

“Babe, pa-customize ka ng number.” Sabi niya.

“Para kang bata!” irap ko sakanya habang nag-fi-fill up ng application.

“Sige na,”

“Anong number ba?”

“09**4862223”

“Bakit gano’ng number ang gusto mo?”

“Secret!” tapos tumawa siya.

“Baliw!” I said pero ‘yon din naman ang nilagay kong number. Ano ba naman ang maliit na bagay na makakapagpasaya sakanya.

Naglalakad na kami paputang supermarket nang may makasalubong kaming kakilala. It was Migo and her finacee that I don’t remember the name.

“Hi!” masigla kong batik ay Migo.

“Hi Cass, hi Ivo! So glad to see both of you.” He genuinely said.

“Kumusta na ang ikakasal?” tanong naman ni Ivo.

“Sa next month na. You both are invited. Huwag kayong mawawala.” Migo said.

“Of course!”  assured him. Napatingin ako sa fiancée niya na hindi makatingin sa akin. Why isn’t she looking at me? Hindi ko naman siya tatarayan.

“So I heard you’re the new COO of AJC. Congratulations, Cassey.” Migo said.

“May pakpak talaga ang balita ‘no?” natatawa kong sabi.

“Oo naman. Basta guys, huwag kayong mawawala sa kasal.”

“We’ll be there.” Ivo said saka ako inakbayan.

“Hmm, I’m glad to see both of you happy.” He said.

Happy? Am I happy? Surprisingly I am… very happy.

xxxxxx

Baka mamayang gabi i-update ko ulit ‘to. “Baka” lang naman. Aalis kasi ako puntang Makati. (Oo, lumalabas din ang probinsyanang tulad ko.) so baka sa Monday na ang next update kung magkataon.

ADVANCE HAPPY VALENTINES!♥

©THYRIZA